Location: Dayton, OH•In-State Tuition: $3,435•Out-of-State Tuition: $8,316
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,871
Est. from OH median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$20,565
Est. from OH median (6 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in Ohio, Sinclair's business associate degree appears positioned right at the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $38,900. That puts it squarely in the middle of Ohio's community college business programs, though notably below the $45,200 that James A. Rhodes State College graduates reportedly earn. The estimated debt load of roughly $20,600 is considerably higher than the national median of $13,400 for this degree—a difference of over $7,000 that matters when you're starting at under $40,000 annually.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates would owe about half their first year's salary, which is manageable but not exceptional for a two-year degree. Since these estimates are drawn from peer programs rather than Sinclair-specific outcomes, the actual picture could swing either direction. The real question is whether this debt level reflects financial aid packaging at Sinclair or simply Ohio's community college landscape—and whether your student could access more affordable options elsewhere in the state while achieving similar or better earnings outcomes. With over 30 Ohio schools offering this program, comparison shopping makes sense here.

Where Sinclair Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Sinclair Community College (estimated ±10%)Other business/commerce programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Sinclair Community CollegeDayton$3,435$38,871*—$20,565*—
James A. Rhodes State CollegeLima$4,657$45,238*$37,556—*—
Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula$7,272$38,871*$37,721$20,565*0.53
Kent State University at East LiverpoolEast Liverpool$7,272$38,871*$37,721$20,565*0.53
Kent State University at TrumbullWarren$7,272$38,871*$37,721$20,565*0.53
Kent State University at SalemSalem$7,272$38,871*$37,721$20,565*0.53
National Median—$36,591*—$13,437*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Sinclair Community College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.